Innovation Continues to Transform Plastics Processing
Several major technological trends are shaping the plastics industry in 2026:
- wider adoption of next-generation recycled polymers;
- development of higher-performance bio-based materials;
- increasing use of artificial intelligence in engineering departments;
- advances in conformal cooling technologies;
- growing use of metal additive manufacturing for selected industrial applications.
These innovations are progressively reshaping mould design, transforming processors’ expectations and influencing the future of the packaging industry.
Metallurgy Continues Its Transformation
The metallurgy sector is also undergoing profound technological change. Current investment priorities include:
- low-carbon steels;
- electric arc furnaces powered by decarbonised electricity;
- increased use of recycled metals;
- advanced surface treatment technologies;
- automation of machining operations;
- integration of artificial intelligence into manufacturing processes.
These developments simultaneously improve industrial performance, product quality and energy efficiency.